Cooperation in clearance activities

The clearers work part-time, and the clearance tasks are carried out sporadically, preventing competence on specific rolling stock from forming. The training of clearance personnel does not currently provide sufficient capabilities for knowledge of the locomotive equipment in relation to clearance.
The hoisting instructions for the derailed locomotive were insufficient with regard to jacking, and the clearing workers did not have sufficient competence in the locomotive. The lack of practical experience in the rolling stock was compensated by cooperation with an expert of the rolling stock owner. In the case examined, cooperation between the clearing workers and the rolling stock owner worked very well and was a key factor in successful clearing.
The rolling stock maintenance operators had equipment and resources suitable for clearing operations that are currently not utilised sufficiently efficiently in clearing operations on the state-owned railway network. Cooperation can be used to minimise the duration of disruptions in the rail network and their impact on the functioning of society.

Infrastructure managers, railway and clearing operators and rolling stock maintenance operators agree on cooperation practices in relation to clearing to ensure smooth clearing operations. In addition, the stakeholders proactively examine the tools and resources available and agree on their use and related communication in clearing situations.

The owners of the rolling stock must ensure that the hoisting instructions are available to all those who need them and that they are suitable for the hoisting methods used. To ensure practical competence, it must be ensured that the workers involved in clearing the track have access to rolling stock-specific instructions.

The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (FTIA) develops clearing procedures as part of the normal development of its operations. FTIA has sufficient amount of equipment available for clearing operations. If necessary, FTIA will be able to release more clearing equipment from among those being used for training purposes if the situation so requires. If the situation so requires, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency currently has access to lifting equipment that is better suited for clearing operations, such as lifting locomotives. In 2025, the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency initiated an update to OVRO (Railway Accident Preparedness Guidelines), which specifies that railway operators must provide FTIA with the necessary technical information and know-how for clearing rolling stock.
The lifting guidelines for VR Group Ltd’s rolling stock were submitted to the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency in December 2021, and on VR’s initiative, the cooperation and communication practices of the clearing operations entity were reviewed on 26 November 2021, 11 February 2022 and 20 February 2023. In the future, if FTIA organises cooperation related to clearing operations as the operator responsible for clearing, VR will contribute to the cooperation concerned from the perspectives of an operator and know-how on rolling stock.
As regards Fenniarail and North Rail, a rolling stock day has been planned for 2026 with Fenniarail, North Rail and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency as participants. During the rolling stock day, the attendants will familiarise themselves with the rolling stock, taking account of clearing operations.